Playoffs Day 33 As LA Regains Control! 9.24.20
It’s Day 33 of the NBA Playoffs and we have Game 4 of the WCF between the Nuggets and the Lakers.
It’s Day 33 of the NBA Playoffs and we have Game 4 of the WCF between the Nuggets and the Lakers.
LA Lakers
The Lakers won Game 4 against the Nuggets. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Lakers dropped Game 3 against Denver, but still held a 2-1 series advantage. With a win they would take a 3-1 series lead, but with the loss the series would be tied 2-2. And the Lakers came out ready. AD had a great first half as the Lakers led for most of the way, leading by 5 at halftime. The 3rd quarter was back and forth as the two teams exchanged runs. But the 4th would get a little dicey. The Lakers started off the 4th well, but the Nuggets started to come back. LA led by just 3 with 3:28 left. But James and Davis hit 6/6 free throws down the stretch and the Lakers held on to win 114-108. LA leads 3-1 in the series.
Offensively the Lakers were great as they shot 48% from the field and 33% from 3. LA was also 28/35 from the free throw line. LA also had 12 offensive rebounds. The Lakers turned the ball over just 9 times. The Lakers also had 44 points down low.
Defensively the Lakers were poor as Denver shot 51% from the field and 36% from 3. Denver was also 20/23 from the free throw line. LA forced 11 turnovers. The Lakers also allowed 42 points in the paint.
Anthony Davis had 34 points and 5 rebounds. Lebron James had 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. KCP had 13 points. Dwight Howard added 12 points and 11 rebounds. Rajon Rondo had 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists off the bench and Kyle Kuzma had 10 points off the bench as well.
Conclusion
The Lakers gutted out this win, and they really looked impressive down the stretch. AD was a consistent scorer throughout this game as he put the Nuggets in lots of foul trouble. Lebron and Rondo were great play-makers as Dwight Howard, KCP, and Kuzma all scored in double-digits. But what impressed me the most was their defense down the stretch. The Lakers allowed just 3 points in the final 3:28 of the game, because their defense locked Denver down. Lebron went on Murray and stopped him at the rim multiple times. The Lakers take a 3-1 series lead as they look to become the first team to beat Denver while up 3-1 this year in the playoffs.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets lost Game 4 against the Lakers. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Nuggets won an impressive Game 3 in which they dominated for most of the game. But they needed a Game 4 win in order to tie the series and really give the Lakers trouble. They would need Murray and Jokic to play great. And Denver had their chances to win this game. AD dominated the first half, but Denver trailed by just 5 at halftime. The Nuggets tried to get back into it in the 3rd, but they couldn’t overtake LA. And in the 4th is where the Nuggets had chances. They were fighting and fighting and fighting, and trailed by 3 with 3:28 left. They had a chance to win, but they collapsed. Denver couldn’t score down the stretch and lost 114-108. Denver now trails 3-1 in this series.
Offensively the Nuggets were great as they shot 51% from the field and 36% from 3. Denver was also 20/23 from the free throw line. Denver had 11 turnovers. Denver also had 42 points in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets were poor as LA shot 48% from the field and 33% from 3. LA was also 28/35 from the free throw line. The Nuggets allowed 12 offensive rebounds. Denver forced just 9 turnovers. The Nuggets also allowed 44 points in the paint.
Jamal Murray had 32 points and 8 assists. Jerami Grant had 17 points. Nikola Jokic had 16 points and 7 rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. had 13 points and 8 rebounds off the bench. Monte Morris added 12 points off the bench as well.
Conclusion
The Nuggets had their chances in this game, but they couldn’t get the win in the end. Jamal Murray was amazing, but Jokic was not. Jokic dealt with foul trouble late and couldn’t stay in the game. The Nuggets likely would have won if he didn’t have those fouls. Denver finds themselves in a familiar place down 3-1, but this one will be the toughest yet. But it wouldn’t be completely out of the realm of possibilities if they did it again.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 33 of the Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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